Apparatus for casting metal pipes.



PATENTEDNOV. 12, 1907.

- E. A. GUSTBR.

APPARATUS FOR CASTING METAL PIPES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR No. 870,870; PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907. E. A. GUSTBR.

APPARATUS, FOR CASTING METAL PIPES.

APPLIOATI QN FILED MAY 3, 1907.

3 SHBBT BSHEET 2.

. WITNESSES:

%wfiq iTTORNEY. v

PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907.

B. A. OUSTER. APPARATUS FOR CASTING METAL PIPES.

APPLIOATION IILED MAY 3, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ATTORNEY.

WI TNESSES the United States, residing at the city of P PAIENT osrron.

l EDGAR A. CUSTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR CAST I NG METAL PIPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

Application filed May 3.1907. Serial No. 371,677.

Toall wham t't may concern: i Be it known that I, EDGAR A. CUSTER, a citizen of hiladelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State pf Pennsylvania, have inyented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Casting Metal Pipes/of which .the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to an apparatus or casting metalpipes; and in such connection it relates more particularly first, to operating means to permit of the casting of a metal pipe perfect in outline or shape,

ready for use, after casting; second, to means to permit of, the casting of such a pipe from molten metal in a permanent mold, without employing gritty material such as sand as a mold for the formation of the pipe; and

third to means to permit of the casting of a water, soil or other pipe free from blow and sand holes, cracks and shotformations thereon, to be removed and a pipe which-when removed from the permanent mold and\ after naturalcooling, is ready for use, without further finishing thereof.

The principal objects of my invention are first, to provide means including a turntable provided with radially arranged molds, each consisting of a drag and a cope formed of permanent unyielding material to permit oi'the'casting of a pipe with a smooth exterior surface, said turntable having arranged on each side of a mold grooves to form continuations of trackways which serve to guide and hold a pouring truck in an operative position over one of the molds; second to provide such means with'a melting furnace adapted to melt the metal necessary for the casting of a pipe in molds and with a stationary ladle forreceiving molten metal for distributing the metal into movable pouring ladles; third,.to provide such means with a truck provided with aseries of pouring ladles adapted to hold and convey molten metal from the receiving ladle of the furnaceto molds and to introduce the molten metal of eachladle simultaneously and from a uniformly maintained height into each mold of the turntable to insure uniformity of flow of molten metal into the molds; and fourth, toprovide ineans for imparting to the turntable,

' a rotary step-by-step movement in one direction to bring each of the molds, successively,

into an operative position opposite the furnace and each set of grooves of the table opposite the trackway for conveying and pouring simultaneously the molten metal from the ladies of the trucks into the molds of said table.

The nature and scope of my present invention will be mor e fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a view, illustrating in top or plan, a turntable having a series of radially arranged molds partly occupying a closed or operative and partly occupying open 'or inoperative position, in which the cope is.

placed alongside its drag, a groove arranged on each side of a mold and one set of grooves arranged opposite a trackway for connecting the table with a melting furnace and receiving ladle for molten metal, and metal conveying and pouring trucks, one in position over a mold occupying a pouring position on the table and one opposite a receiving ladle to receive the molten metal in a series of small or pouring ludles for conveying to the molds of the turntable. F ig. 2 is a View, illustrating partly in section and partly in elevation, the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and also hoisting means for removing and replacing copes oi the molds of the turntable. Fig. 3 is a detail view, enlarged, illustrating partly in section, and partly in eleval ion, a portion of the turntable, means for imparting to the table a step-by-step rotary movement in one direction, a mold formed of unyielding permanent material and a metal conveying truck for pouring metal from the ladies therebf into moldsby the holding or maintaining oiihe spouts thereof, in a substantially fixed position with respect to the molds. Fig. 4 is a similar view, illustrating in top or plan, a portion of a drag and a copc of a mold of the turntable and a core employed in conjunction therewith; and Fig. 5 is a similar view, illustrating in longitudinal section, a pipe cast in and shown removed from one of the molds oi the turntable.

Referring to the drawings 6, represents an annular turntable, supportcd by fiangcd-whecls 7, engaging rails 8, arranged in a pit 9. One mode of imparting to the turntable a rotary step-by-stcp movement in one direction, consists of providing the underside of the table with ratchet-teeth l0, engaged by a counterweightcd pawl 1l., pivotally connected with a slide blotfk 12, supported by a guide 13, which block and rod 14, of a cylinder 15, as shown in'Fig. 3. The distance of rotary step-by-stcp movement imparted to the table 6, by the pawl 11, is equal to the distance of the moldslll, fmm each other, which are radially arranged on the table 6, and which by this movement are brought successively centrally opposite a truckwuy 17., branching into tracks 18 and 19. On cach side. of each of the molds 16, is arranged a groove 20, which when the tablet, occupies proper position are locatcd directly form the continuation thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the molds 16, of the table 6, consists of a permanent unyielding material, such as mctal 'and is divided into two sections, of which the lower section forms a drug 23, and is removably sccurcd to the table 6 preferably by bolts 21; passing through cars 22, thereof, as shown in Fig. 3, while the unpcr section forms a cope 24 and is held upon the drag, by its own weight having bccn made for this purpose similar to the drag 23, of a solid block of metal, of comparatively large size, in crosssection so as to retain heat absorbed from molten metal pawl are reciprocatcd in the guide 13, by the pistonopposite the inner side of the trackway l7, and thus introduced into the mold, and to prevent warping or bending due to any'want of uniformity in the heating of the mold, by the molten metal.

The drag 23, and cope 24, are each provided with a semi-circular depression 25, forming combined in the mold an annular oblong chamber of the contour or outline of apipe, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The cope 24, is provided with pouring holes 26, arranged a defined distance apart and extending through the same and registering with gates 27, arranged in the drag 23. In order to provide for the free expansion of the metal of the mold, adjacent to the depressions 25 thereof, are arranged small openings 50, extending certain dis- I tances into the' body of the drag and also the cope of 51, form pocketsfor the'reception of inert material,

such as mica, which permit of a certain compression by the expanding metal, and thus serves to counteract any cracking of the mold in any part throughout the same, The core 28, used in conjunction with the mold so formed preterably consists of a perforated hollow body 29, serving as a support for a coating, consisting of finely divided gritty material, such for instance as sand. The cope in conjunction with the depression 25, in the drag and also in cope forms an annular space, into which the metal is introduced to iorm a pipe. Before however, the metal is poured into themold, the depression 25, of the cope 24, and drag 23, may be coated with a semi-liquid composition to permit the molten metal to lay close to the depressionsduring casting and hence to obviate any receding of the metal from the mold.

In order to cast a pipe 30, which when removed from the mold 16, is ready for use, free from cracks, blow and sand holes and shot formations upon the exterior surface, which must be removed before the pipe can be used, it is necessary to introduce simultaneously the metal into each of the pour holes 26, of the cope 24, in equal portions and with the same velocities and under the same pressures, to insure a uniform flow of the metal, within the two parts of the mold. This is accomplished by pouring ladies 31 provided with pouring spouts 32, of substantially the same size,.which are held in the central longitudinal axis 01' the shafts 33, at and during the discharge of the metal therefrom, Which shafts 33, in conjunction with bearings 34, of a platform 35, supported by flanged-wheels 36 forming in conjunction with the platform a metal conveying truck 37, hold the ladies with their spouts 32 directlyabove the pour-holes 26 of the cope 24. The grooves 20, arranged on each side of the mold 16, of the turn table 6, by receiving and guiding the flanges 38, of the wheels 36, of the truck 37 hold the same and the ladles 31, in the proper position above the mold 16, on the turntable 6, as shown in Fig. 3. The'shafts 33,' are held by the bearings 34, in alinemcnt with each other and areconnectcd with the ladies 31, by engaging projections 39 preferably, formedintegral therewith. This arrangement permits of the holding oi the spouts 32 of ammo the ladies 31, in the centrallongitudinal axis oi the shafts 33, and of an unobstructed discharge of molten metal therefrom, as shown in Fig. 3. I Moreover, the

ladies 31, are so supported by the shafts 33, that their spouts 32, are held in the same horizontal plane and thus at a uniform height above the mold 16, on the turntable 6, in which substantially fixed position, as herei inbefore described, the spouts are held andare mltintained at and during the tilting of the ladles 31.

In order to insure the uniform tilting of both sets of oppositely arranged ladles 31, one of the sectional shafts 33, of one set of ladles is provided withh hand- I crank-40, and a gear-wheel ,41, meshing with'a gearwheel 42, secured to oneof the shaft sections 33, of the other set of ladies of the truck. Thus the movement of'the one shaft 33, is transmitted to the other shaft 33,

and both sets of ladles will be thereby tilted at exactly I the same time, and with exactly the same speed, at which time their spouts 32 remain in a substantially fixed position irrespective of the extent of tilting of the ladlcs of such truck. The spouts of the ladies being of substantially the same size equal quantities of molten metal, can be discharged therefrom, which metal will assume the same velocities and pressures maintained in the discharges and such will be maintained until reaching the depressions 25 of the drag 23, ,and the cope 24 o. the mold by passing through the pour-holes 26, ofthe cope-and through the gates 27, of the drag of such mold, The flow of each portionof the metal into the depressions 25, willthus be uniform, thereby insuring the casting of a pipe 30, perfect in outline and shape and having a smooth exterior surface which is imparted thereto, by mainly the character of the permanent unyielding metal mold. i

In order to permit of the concentration of the gases arising from the flowing metal, the cope 24, is provided with a depression or channel 52, extending lengthwise thereof, as shown in full and dotted lines in'Figs. 3 and 4. The gases liberated during the pouring of the molten metal will accumulate in the channel 52, located at the highest portion of the depression 25, of the cope 24, thus preventing the formation of a depression or depressions in the surface of the pipe cast, whichoccurs when no provision is made for the concentration of the gases. The main portion of the gases present in the casting of the pipe 30, are freed into the interior of the hollow body 29, of the core 28, by their passing through the covering and the periorations of the body into the interiorthereof. After the pipe BO, has been cast the Y metal conveying truck 37, is shifted from the turntable 6, onto the track 17, and by the same upon the branch track 18, opposite the receiving ladle 43, placed between the branch tracks 18 and 19, and by means of which, the pouring-ladies 31 of another n ial convey- ,3

mold l6, and the track grooves 20, opposite the track 17, in which position the second metal conveying truck 37,.is shifted upon the table 6, and over the mold 16,

' occupying a basting position, after which the metal is introduced into the same, by the pouring ladies 31 in the same manner, as hereinbefore described. 7 The cope. 24, of the mold 16, previously filled with molten metal is now lifted from the drag 23 preferably by a hoisting mechanism 44, such as is shown in Fig. 2, and is then placed on the table 6, alongside the drag 23. The pipe 30,-cast is now laid bare and is then removed from the drag 23, after which both the cope and drag are cleaned and again coated and a cope replaced on its drag, by the hoisting mechanism, during the further s ep-hystep rotation of the table 6, and before the mold lti, has again been shifted into a casting position opposite the track 17.

The receiving ladle 43, is tiltably supported by a frame-work 45, and is provided with a spout extension 46, which serves to conduct the molten metaiinto the outer set of pouring ladies 31, while the spout 47,

portions, In unison, and at uniform pressures and velocithereof, serves to discharge the metal into the inner set of pouring ladies, 3i, as will be readily understood in conjunction with Fig. 1 of the drawings. The receiving, ladle 43, is directly placed beneath the discharge spout 48, of any preferred type of cupola furnace 4t).

Owing to the comparatively large size in cross-section of the drag and cope of each of the molds 16, of the turntable 6, the same will retain a sufiicient amount of heat absorbed from the molten metal introduced therein to materially aid in the production of a perfect pipe 30, by running a quick and uniform flow of molten metal from the gates 27, without any appreciable lowering of temperature of the metal.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for casting melnl pipes: consisting of a. permanent unyielding material two part mold, menus for introducing molten metal in equal portions siinuiiuncously into said mold nit uniform pressures and velocities, and means to remove the cnststructure from said mold.

2. An apparatus for casting metal pipes, consisting of :l permanent unyielding mold provided with a cope and at drag. menus for introducing molten metal in equal portions simultarr .usiy into said mold, a core, menus for permitting of the freeing or gases or volatile matter from the metal in the mold during casting of the structure and means to remove the cast structure from the mold.

3. An apparatus for ousting metal pipes, consisting of a permanent unyielding metal mold provided with a cope and a drag, means for introducing molten metal in equal lies into both cops and drag of said mold, an internal perforated core, menus for permitting of the freeing ofgnses or volatile mutter during the running of the metal in the casting operation and means to remove the cast structure.

'4. in an apparatus of the character described, the combinution with a movable tubie having a plurality oi pairs of track grooves and arranged to support intermediate of each pair of truck grooves a mold, consisting of a drug and a cope of permanent unyielding material, stationary means for receiving molten metal, and movable menus for conveying the molten metal from the stationary means in said table and arranged to be held by one of the pair of track grooves thereofi in proper operative position over a mold, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. in an apparatus of the character described, the corn bination with u movable tubie arranged to support :1 pilirality of molds, cnch consisting of a drag and a rope of permanent. unyielding material, and each cope having a plurality of pour-holes, if stationary ladle for receiving" mullen detail, a truck, a plurality" of [)olii'illg Indies {ulnplod lo receive molten molnl and to be conveyed by 'sulzi truck to said table and over one of lhe molds thereof,

und meniis for tilting the pouring ladies to simultaneously dlschnrge the molten metal into and through the pour holes oi the cope oi the mold.

6. in an apparatus of the character described, the compouring ladies in a certain position thereon, menus connecling the supporting means of each set of pouring ladies with each other to permit oi the simultaneous discharge oi the molten metal into a mold, when snld truck is held in position on said table by one of the pulrs of grooves thereof.

7,. in an apparatus of the character described, the combination with u table having a plurality of pairs of truckgrooves and said tubie arranged to support a plurality of molds, each consisting of a drug and a-cope of permanent unyielding material, a stationary tlltable indie, a traclev way suhstuntlnlly surrounding said ladle and extending into :1 single track terminuting at said table, means for imparting to said table a step-hy-s tep movement in one direction to bring a mold and euclli'pair of track-grooves,

successively opposite said single track, a truck movably mounted on said track and adapted to be held in proper operative position over a mold of said table by a pair of the truck-grooves thereof, pouring ladies adapted to be charged with molleu metal by said stationary ladle, means for supporting said pouring ladies with their spouts unil'ormiy in a horizontal plane with respect to each other,

and menus for simultaneously tilting said pouring ladies.

S. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a table having a plurality of pairs of trackgrcoves and said tubie arranged to support a plurality of. molds. each consisting of a drug and a cope of permanent unyielding material, a stationary tlltable ladle adapted to receive molten melul, a truckwny arranged adjacent to snitl ladle and terminating at said tubie, means for imparting to said tubie a step-by-step movement in one direction lo bring a mold and each pair of track-grooves successively opposite snid track, it truck movabiy mounted on sold truck and carrying shafts adapted when shifted on sold tubie to be held in |ll01l\:i' operative position over a mold by a pair of said trackgrooves, pouring ladies, euch lowing n spout curried by said truck-shafts, said indies adapted to receive molten metul from said stationary indies and to be held with their spouts in the longitudlnnl central axis oi said shui'ts, at and during discharge of the metal therefrom into a mold of said table.

i). in nu nppnrntus ot the character described, the combination with an annular tubie having a plnrallty dflpuirs of truck grooves and said tubie arranged to support internedlnte oi each pair of track-grooves a radially disposed mold, consisting of 11 drug and a cope of permanent un yielding material, a truck adapted to be shifted on said table and to be held in proper operative position over it mold, by a pulr of truck-grooves thereof, ladies adapted to contain molten metal having discharge spouts, and means for supporting said ladies on sold truck and for holding the spouts thereof in the sumo horizontal plane and in a substantially iixed position with respect to snld mold, at and during the discharge of metal into the same.

10. in an apparatus of the character described, the combination with on nnunlur tubie having a plurality of puirs oi truck-grooves and said table arranged to support intermediate oi each pnir oi truck-grooves rndinlly arranged mold. consisting of :1 drug and u cope of permunent unyielding material, a stationary tiltuble ludlendupted to receive molten melal, n tr.-ick\vuy arranged adjacent to said indie and terminating at said tubie, menus for importing u slep-by-slep movement to said tubie in one direction to bring a mold and each pulr oi tru '-grnoves successively opposite suid truck, :1 lruck movnbly mounted on snid truck and having supports carrying pouring indies Tiff it l0 said table ii ch pair of truck mo v 01y mounted on ing pouring ISHHQS aclapuzd ti: receivs id stationary ladle and to he held in propei' position over a mold by a pair of the Line q'rm'es 0f saigi tableille spouts of said pouring ml to be 32d by the supports of said truck in intially fixed yositian to a mold of said table, at and discharge of the metal iherefrqm and meims for and pluui 1:, 111: copes 01' said molds on said table the same back onto ihc respective drags thereof. the character described, consisting d of unyicl'ling material having a phiy-olnis thereof, means for inramming and iron:

Liming mpiten metal in equal portions, simultaneously 20211-111 pim'le through the gates of said Elie pr urea and velocities, a core, and of mine a; fii the cast structure from the outline or shape, ready for 3S8; without 13. An appzu of ii permzima 1i" sites it illlfi' of the characier described, consisting mold 3 unyielding material having a pludetwmimite points the of, means for in u a moilen met I in equal portions simultaneously in the same hori zoutal plane through the gates of said mold and with like press'ureg and velocities, a perforated "lelcling material core, means for i'reehzg volatile matter and gases from the metal gluring casting into a structure, and. means to permii 01 remo: ii 01. the cast structure perfect in outline mshape, ready far use, after, cooling, and WP" it further finishing in f,

in witn as whereof, I have here thapna, of two subscribing EDGAR All CUSTER.

nto set my sigmizur'e inv 

